When a company like Alpinestars bring out some new technology, the industry listens. The Alpinestars Tech-Air is redefining what safety is in motocross. If you’re from the road world, then this technology is not something new to you. But, for us dirt monkeys, it’s a game-changer.
The main reason that this technology has taken so long to reach the off-road world is mainly due to the amount of movement your body goes through during a race. If you take a Moto-GP rider, for example: Yes, they move around, but it’s always calm, fluid motions. The track stays the same for the most part. Whereas in motocross and Supercross, with the ever changing terrain, jumps, bumps, ruts and everything else that makes this great sport, the rider’s body endure a serious amount of movement. My point is they have had to develop algorithms over years and years of having monitors on riders so they can better deduce the point in which a rider is crashing.
It would be of no use to anyone if you got into a battle with someone, rubbing bars and shoulders, then all of a sudden your armour inflates because they’ve given you a knock, or you case a jump, or a million other things that happens during a race that isn’t a big crash. This is why Alpienstars have developed their algorithm to only inflate when the rider is in a good size crash. So it won’t inflate with just a little slide off or front end wash.
The Tech-Air offers 4 different riding modes (MX, mode, MX RACE mode Enduro and Rally). You can customise your enduro and rally mode in the Tech-Air app to best suit your riding style and the type of riding you are doing. Most riders will be fine with the MX mode, but if you are racing at an extremely high level, then MX RACE will be better suited to you.
During a get-off, once the system detects a crash is taking place, it takes 40ms to inflate fully.
The system then deflates after 5 seconds, and you can continue riding. The airbag can not then inflate again until the gas inflator in the back has been replaced, which can be done easily after the race.
Alpinestars recommends that after 6 inflations that the armour be sent back to Alpinestars for them to replace the airbag. To send it back to Alpinestars for a full service (new airbag, reset the ECU and new canister), it will cost around £225.00
The system automatically turns on when the left buckle is fastened and turns off when it is unfastened, making it impossible to forget to turn it on before a ride. You will get 30 hours of ride time on a full charge. So if you charged it after every weekend, you will never run out during a ride.
The system’s LED display lets you know when the battery is running low with its battery level indicator.
Even if you don’t have the system turned on, the tech-air still offers level 1 CE protection on both front and back, so you still have quality armour.
The armour is very thin with a great design, meaning it is great to wear under or over your jersey.
When you first put it on, the extra weight from the system is quite obvious. However, once you start riding, it isn’t something you pay attention to, and it just feels like normal body armour. The mesh lining keeps you cool and well ventilated when you’re riding, so even with the extra components, you don’t overheat or get too hot.
I’ve had the armour for a couple of months now, and luckily for me, I haven’t had it inflate on me yet. So, I can’t personally speak on how that feels. But, I can tell you that to ride in it feels no different to wearing any other armour of a similar size without the airbag technology. It sat close to my body, allowing me to wear my shirt over the top without it looking bulky and unflattering.
The Tech-Air has good coverage on the stomach and chest area, so even when you’re not having a big crash, you still have very good roost protection during the race.
Of course, every rider is different, and every rider has a varying body shape; even so, I think that most riders would be able to find a set up with the Tech-Air that they find comfortable. There are plenty of areas that can be adjusted to suit most body types.
The Tech-Air will set you back £569.99, with extra canisters costing around £80.00. Granted, it is a lot of money, but these days you are paying more than that for a decent helmet to protect your head. So why not spend that to protect all the other vital organs in your body? I also believe that in a few years, this level of protection will be mandatory at any FIM-regulated events.
The Tech-Air is one of the first of what I believe to be a new breed of personal protective equipment. Is there a possibility that things like this will become cheaper? Maybe, but MIPS has been around for several years now, and I’ve never seen a decrease in price on a helmet, so I wouldn’t bank on them decreasing in price.
Body armours have slowly been increasing in safety in the last 10 years and are now finally caught up in line with the speed that these motocross bikes can go.
I’m not telling you that if you go and buy a Tech-Air, you’ll be safe in every crash. But, it decreases your percentage of a serious injury, and I think thats all you can ask for in this sport. It should certainly put the question in your mind that “Do I need that (insert brand name) exhaust, or shall I invest in my safety?”
Tested and written by Brad Wheeler
